Southern Pines NC Real Estate

Southern Pines was founded around 1820 as a stopover point on the only north and south railroad on the eastern seaboard. Over the years this charming mid-south town evolved into a resort community with horses and golf as the main attractions.

Today, Southern Pines, with just over 13,000 residents, offers a unique and appealing combination of resort, retirement and contemporary residential real estate. Its eclectic neighborhoods surround a quaint and inviting business/shopping village with tree lined streets, an excellent selection of restaurants to satisfy any appetite, art galleries and shops that offer a full range of clothing and gift items.

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In addition, the local Sunrise Theatre host musical, theatrical and cinema events. The old movie theatre has been transformed into a community arts center that offers national acts, foreign films and community plays.

Real estate properties in Southern Pines are available for every demographic category, ranging from upscale family sized homes in quiet, gracious neighborhoods to somewhat smaller retiree residences lining the fairways of the numerous golf courses in the area. On the outskirts of Southern Pines you will find beautiful horse farms in one of the major horse centers in the eastern United States. For those who are looking for casual living in a golf community, horse country, or retirement venue, Southern Pines is a "must see" in North Carolina.

History of Southern Pines Real Estate

North Carolina's first commissioner of immigration, James T. Patrick, was responsible for bring newcomers to the state. He thought that southern Moore County had great potential for development. Most of the local men were involved in the timber and lumber business. Patrick met someone that came to this area with tuberculosis because of the healthy climate, so he ventured out and bought 675 acres of land for $1,265. This was just $2 an acre. This parcel of land became Southern Pines.

Southern Pines was built with the railroad going right down the middle of town. This was done so that visitors could disembark at the station and find lodging within a couple of blocks. Patrick was advertising the municipality of Southern Pines as a health resort. Patrick lived long enough to see the town of Southern Pines become a very successful and thriving community. Patrick purchased the land in 1884 and by 1887 the town of Southern Pines had grown into a healthy village of fifty families.

Of the many residents that contributed to the growth and development of Southern Pines, the most outstanding members, were from the Boyd family. In 1903, James Boyd, a coal merchant from Pennsylvania, bought 2,000 acres of land on the northeast side of Southern Pines. Boyd built an estate that he named Weymouth Heights and developed 500 acres into lots for future homes. Helen Boyd Dull, Boyd's widowed daughter, was instrumental in starting civic organizations and beautification projects in Southern Pines. This included lining the railroad tracts with magnolias on Broad Street.

Boyd's grandson, James, returned after World War I and began writing, leaving a literary mark on Southern Pines. James Boyd, the third generation of Boyd's, wrote poetry and historical novels, earning a place in American literature. James wrote two best sellers in the 1920's. The historic novels were 'Drums' and 'Marching On'. He later became publisher of the local paper, The Pilot. The Boyd's influences on the Moore Country Hounds are still evident today. With over 4,000 acres to ride on, Southern Pines offers the Walthour-Moss Foundation...every equestrians dream!

With nearly 13,100 residents, Southern Pines is the largest municipality in Moore Country. It has a combination of charming shops and equally charming homes on tree lined streets.

Because Southern Pines combines the north, south, old and new, it is especially appealing to the people who live and visit. You can enjoy the quaint Broad Street downtown area that looks the same as years ago or visit the newer modern shopping areas. Southern Pines has a unique shopping hospitality you expect. The attraction for the town is its horse farms, festivals, golf courses and the street fairs. Anyone interested in combining city life with the charm of a small town will feel right at home.